noun
complicity
noun
1
Involvement in wrongdoing alongside someone else, as a partner or accomplice.
"His complicity in the scheme cost him his job."
"The report found evidence of complicity between the two departments."
How to Use Complicity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing part of a crime or bad act, usually by helping, hiding, or allowing it.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "complexity" (the state of being complex) — they look and sound similar but mean very different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
complicity in
deny complicity
evidence of complicity
Word Forms
complicities plural
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His _____ in the scheme cost him his job.
Etymology
From French complicité, ultimately from Old French complice ("accomplice"), from Late Latin complex, "confederate" or "partner."